Highlights
Though growth in headline consumer credit, at $12.4 billion, came in lower than expected, the component for revolving credit posted another sizable increase, at $4.1 billion vs $6.9 billion in May. This component, which is where credit card debt is tracked, has been on the rise this year raising the question whether financial firms are beginning to lend to less qualified borrowers. Whether or not gains here are good for credit quality, they are a plus for short-term consumer spending. The soft headline in June is due to a lower-than-usual increase in non-revolving credit where growth, at $8.3 billion, is nevertheless substantial. Vehicle financing and student loans are tracked in non-revolving credit.

Consensus Outlook
Growth in consumer credit is expected to hold steady and firm with the Econoday consensus calling for a rise of $16.0 billion in June vs $18.4 billion in May. A recent upturn in the revolving credit component of this report is raising new questions whether financial firms are now lending to less qualified borrowers.